Escambia County Unemployment Rate Decreases Slightly
November 21, 2021
The unemployment rate in Escambia County declined by half a percentage point last month, according to newly released data from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 4.1% in October, down from 4.2% in September. That represented 6,381 people out of work out of a county workforce of 154,298. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was 4.8%, or 7,001 people.
The area’s private sector employment added 7,200 new private-sector jobs over the year, a 4.7% increase. The Pensacola area labor force in October 2021 increased by 15,058 over the year, a 6.6% increase. The industry gaining the most jobs over the year was leisure and hospitality, increasing by 2,100 jobs.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.6 percent in October 2021, down 0.2 percentage point from the revised September 2021 rate, and down 1.2 percentage points from a year ago
Escambia Reports 94 New COVID-19 Cases In Last Week
November 21, 2021
There were 94 new COVID-19 cases reported Escambia County over the last week by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 53,957 (+94)
Positivity rate last week: 3.5%
People vaccinated: 157,446 (+1,046)
Vaccination rate (age 5+): 57.6%
New hospital admissions: 19
Total deaths last 7 days: less than 10 (CDC data)
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 32,593 (+72)
Positivity rate last week: 3.7%
People vaccinated: 91,782 (+576)
Vaccination rate (age 5+): 52%
New hospital admissions: 3
Total deaths last 7 days: less than 10 (CDC data)
Statewide cases:
Florida resident cases: 3,677,968 (+10,828)
Case positivity rate: 2.5%
Deaths: 61,081 (+37)
FDOH has moved from daily to weekly reports and removed the COVID-19 dashboard. The state is now releasing a weekly report with local data limited only to number of cases and positivity rate The number of deaths by county or cases by local cities and communities is no longer provided by FDOH.
Fire Destroys Cantonment Home; Occupants Escape Uninjured With Pets
November 20, 2021
There were no injuries when fire destroyed a large two-year old brick home in Cantonment Friday night.
The 3,500 square foot structure was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived just after 8 p.m. in the 400 block of Broadleaf Circle, off Highway 297A near Kingfield Road.
Two people were at home at the time of the fire, but they were able to escape with their pets, according to Escambia County.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The Cantonment, Ensley, Beulah, Bellview, Brent, Ferry Pass, and Osceola stations of Escambia Fire Rescue were dispatched to the fire, along with fire units from Santa Rosa County, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
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NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Northview Falls To Baker 46-35 In Regional Semifinal
November 20, 2021
The Northview Chiefs football season came to an end with a tough 46-35 loss to defending station champion Baker Friday night in the Class 1A regional semifinals.
When they met during the regular season, the Gators won the 42-41 overtime thriller. Northview fans turned out in full force Friday night at Baker, cheering on their Chiefs as they fought hard to the very end.
For a game action photo gallery, click here.
For a photo gallery with the band, fans and cheerleaders, click here.
“It was just a fight for four quarters,” Northview head football coach Wes Summerford said. “I thought our kids played hard. There was several times that they could have gave it up, and we fought to get back in it to the end.”
Kayleb Wagner — the Gator standout that broke Derrick Henry’s Florida high school football single-game rushing record earlier this season– gave Baker an early 7-0 lead over Northview on an 88-yard touchdown run.
Northview’s Wyatt Scruggs intercepted a Gator pass on their own five and ran it in to make it 7-7 after a good Brandon Ferguson kick with 3:10 remaining in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, junior quarterback Kaden Odom found a wide open Luke Bridges, and he was in from 20 yards out to give the Chiefs a 14-7 lead with 11:44 remaining in the half. Baker answered with a 49-yard touchdown run with 9:12 in the half for a 14-14 tie.
The Chiefs regained the lead at 24-14 as Odom fought his way into the endzone on a short quarterback keeper with 5:54 remaining in the second quarter. Baker made it 21-20 with under a minute to go in the half and on their way to a playoff win.
“These guys fought hard. I thought we had some opportunities in the ballgame just to get it back even or maybe even stay on top,” Summerford said. “You’ve got to tip your hats to Baker. They are well coached, and good luck to the next round.”
The Baker Gators will host Chipley next Friday night. The Northview Chiefs season ended at 6-5.
For a game action photo gallery, click here.
For a photo gallery with the band, fans and cheerleaders, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
USDA Announces $2.85 Million Loan For Beulah Academy Of Science Gym
November 20, 2021
The Beulah Academy of Science Middle School is currently building a gym with a $2.85 million USDA loan.
The 17,000 square foot ability will enable the students to have access to indoor health and wellness activities during extreme heat and poor weather conditions and will also add three additional classrooms for ag science, culinary arts and engineering classes.
While construction on the gym is already underway, the Beulah Academy of Science loan was one of five rural community infrastructure projects in Florida announced Friday by the USDA.
“The projects announced today are all aimed at improving the quality of life in Florida’s rural communities,” Acting USDA State Director Jason Brower said. “Through its grant and loan programs, USDA is making investments in rural Florida to help provide essential services for our residents.”
USDA is investing in projects through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. The assistance will fund essential community services that will help keep rural America resilient in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Schools Name Principal, Assistant Principal Of Year
November 20, 2021
The Escambia County School District has name its principal and assistant principal of the year.
West Pensacola Elementary School Principal Christine Baker (pictured above) was named ECSD Principal of the Year. Because there is a large autistic student population at West Pensacola, Baker can often be found in autism classrooms, as well as teaching in general education classrooms, when substitutes are not available.
Pine Forest High School Assistant Principal Latasha Jordan was named ECSD Assistant Principal of the Year. Under her leadership, PFHS’s graduation rate has reached an all-time high of 87.6%. Although she would never take credit, her efforts in leading the curriculum efforts at PFHS have been unparalleled, according to the district.
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Friday Night High School Playoff Scores – Seasons End For Local Teams Except Pine Forest
November 20, 2021
Here is tonight’s North Escambia area high school football playoff schedule:
FLORIDA
1A Regional Semifinal
- Baker 46, Northvew 35 [Story, photos...]
5A Regional Semifinal
- Baker County 13, West Florida 10
6A Regional Semifinal
- Pine Forest 32, Riverside 12
- Pine Forest will host Mosley next Friday night
ALABAMA
AHSAA 3A Quarterfinals
- Montgomery Academy 28, T.R. Miller 0
AISA Class AA State Championship
- Autauga 52, Escambia Academy 35
Pictured: Northview’s Jamarkus Jefferson gains yardage against Baker Friday night in Baker. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Time Is Running Out To Donate In The Annual Peanut Butter Challenge
November 20, 2021
Time is running out to donate in the Peanut Butter Challenge in Escambia County help families in need, and along the way promote peanuts.
The Peanut Butter Challenge, UF/IFAS Extension’s annual jar collection for local food pantries, first launched in the Florida Panhandle in 2012. It has since launched statewide, giving counties the chance to compete for most jars of peanut butter donated. The challenge serves a way to feed hungry families ahead of the holidays and also promotes peanuts grown in Florida.
Unopened jars of peanut butter can be donated at the following locations through Wednesday, November 24:
- Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Escambia County Farm Bureau, 153 Highway 97, Molino
- Escambia County Public Safety, 6575 North W Street
- Holy Cross Episcopal Church, 7979 North Ninth Avenue
- Gilmore Services, 31 East Fairfield Drive
- Escambia County Administration, 221 Palafox Place, 4th Floor
- Pensacola City Hall, 222 West Main Street,
- Holy Spirit Catholic, 10650 Gulf Beach Highway
- Perdido Bay United Methodist Church, 13360 Innerarity Point Road,
- Pensacola Beach Visitors Information, 7 Casino Beach Boardwalk, Pensacola Beach
“We are always impressed and touched by the communities’ grassroots support for this program,” said Libbie Johnson, agricultural agent for UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County and co-organizer of the challenge since its inception. “The peanut industry is a great contributor to our state, but this event also shows how the nutritious food it produces can help our fellow community members who may be struggling.”
In addition to the community donations, the Florida Peanut Producers Association (FPPA) and Florida Peanut Federation (FPF) have partnered with the project for years. These organizations are based in the northwest and northeast peanut-producing regions of the state and will again contribute to the totals distributed to food pantries in those regions.
In the 2020 Peanut Butter Challenge, the first year the event was conducted statewide, participating UF/IFAS Extension county offices received over 27,000 total pounds of peanut butter.
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Cantonment Man Was Allegedly Drunk While Firing Sawed-off Shotgun In Neighborhood
November 19, 2021
A Cantonment man was allegedly under the influence while firing a sawed-off shotgun in a local neighborhood.
Christopher Daniel Dailey, 30, was charged with use of a firearm while under the influence of alcohol and possession of a short barreled shotgun. He was released on a $5,500 bond.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrived to find Dailey standing on a neighbor’s porch on Well Line Road.
“I could smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his person and slurred speech,” a deputy wrote in his report. Dailey told deputies he had consumed eight tall boy beers and two liquor drinks.
Dailey stated that he had discharged a shotgun at two aggressive pit bulls in his yard. A spent shell casing was found in the backyard.
Deputies located a Savage Arms Stevens Model 940E 12-gauge shotgun on Dailey’s refrigerator and an unspent shotgun shell on the kitchen counter, the report states. The barrel of the shotgun was 14.5 inches, less than the legal 18 inches.
Go Chiefs, Go! Community Pep Rally Held For Northview Chiefs, NWE Chiefs
November 19, 2021
Hundreds of people turned out Thursday night for a community Chiefs pep rally for the Northview Chiefs and the Northwest Escambia Chiefs.
The pep rally at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill was for the Northview Chiefs as they travel to Baker Friday night for the regional semifinals and the NWE Chiefs as they work to bring home an Escambia River Conference league championship in all four age divisions Saturday in Andalusia. The NWE cheerleaders will also be competing in the ERC cheer championships.
“I’d like to have each and every person from this community at Baker Friday night,” Northview head football coach Wes Summerford told the crowd, “and make Baker’s stadium our stadium. I can tell you our players have worked extremely hard, and we are as prepared as ever to bring back that big dream over Baker Friday night. I told them to look forward to round number three.”
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
